Oscillating sorting device for grape berries

Abstract

An oscillating sorting conveyor is adapted for separating whole berries of wine grapes from undesirable components such as “shot berries” (immature grapes), stems, raisins, leaf material, bugs, pebbles and the like. The sorter deploys a downward tilting trough that is driven to oscillate. A screen is disposed at the bottom of the trough such that whole berries are conveyed over the screen while the undesirable components pass through the screen The preferred embodiment of the screen has a non-uniform cross-section to improve the efficiency of removal the undesirable components without clogging or requiring constant maintenance.

1 . An oscillating flow separator comprising: 
 a) a substantially rectangular trough open at the top and enclosed by three substantially upright sides, said trough being open on one of the shorter sides of the rectangle for dispensing purified solid matter,    b) a screen disposed on the bottom of said trough,    c) a catch basin disposed below the screen of said substantially rectangular trough that comprises a secondary screen disposed at the bottom thereof,    d) a secondary trough disposed below said catch basis for collected liquid separated by said secondary screen.    
   
   
       2 . An oscillating flow separator according to  claim 2  further comprising a funnel trough disposed below the screen of said substantially rectangular trough for directing matter separated by the screen into said catch basin.  
   
   
       3 . An oscillating flow separator according to  claim 1  wherein said secondary trough has a substantially solid bottom surface that tapers toward a drain hole.  
   
   
       4 . An oscillating flow separator according to  claim 2  wherein said secondary trough has a substantially solid bottom surface that tapers toward a drain hole.  
   
   
       5 . An oscillating flow separator according to  claim 1  wherein the oscillating trough is tilted such that the open side is lower than the opposite and surrounding side.  
   
   
       6 . An oscillating flow separator according to  claim 1  wherein said screen is a series of apertures formed in the bottom of the trough.  
   
   
       7 . An oscillating flow separator according to  claim 1  wherein said screen has a substantially rectangular frame and is removed from a matching rectangular apertures formed in the bottom of the trough.  
   
   
       8 . An oscillating flow separator according to  claim 7  wherein the top side of the screen disposed parallel and distal to the open end of the trough is disposed slightly above the bottom of the trough.  
   
   
       9 . An oscillating flow separator according to  claim 7  wherein the top side of the screen disposed parallel and proximal to the open end of the trough is disposed slightly below the bottom of the trough.  
   
   
       10 . An oscillating flow separator according to  claim 7  wherein said screen comprises 
 a) a first parallel array of triangular shafts, each shaft oriented so that the sides define an upper plane,    b) a second parallel array of wires cross-connecting and stabilizing said array of triangular shafts,    c) wherein said second parallel array of wires is connected to each of the triangular shafts of said first parallel array near the apex thereof, opposite the side that defines a portion of the upper plane.    
   
   
       11 . An oscillating flow separator according to  claim 10  wherein the spacing between the triangular shafts of the screen at the upper plane is less than about 0.5 inches  
   
   
       12 . An oscillating flow separator according to  claim 11  wherein the spacing between the triangular shafts at the upper plane is less than about 0.35 inches  
   
   
       13 . An oscillating flow separator according to  claim 12  wherein the spacing between the triangular shafts at the upper plane is less than about 0.25 inches  
   
   
       14 . An oscillating flow separator according to  claim 10  wherein the spacing between wires is about 3 times the spacing between the triangular shafts at the upper plane.  
   
   
       15 . An oscillating flow separator according to  claim 10  wherein the spacing between wires is about 4 times the spacing between the triangular shafts at the upper plane.  
   
   
       16 . An oscillating flow separator according to  claim 10  wherein the spacing between wires is about 6 times the spacing between the triangular shafts at the upper plane.